Molan relents after Bandt apologies twice

Liberal senator Jim Molan reportedly plans to drop defamation action against Greens MP Adam Bandt, who apologised for suggesting the retired military general had committed war crimes in Iraq.

Senator Molan had threatened to pursue the Greens MP through the courts for defamation after Mr Bandt suggested in a TV interview on Wednesday the senator may have committed war crimes during the battle for Fallujah.

Senator Molan, who served as the chief of operations of the US-led coalition forces in Iraq, told The Australian newspaper on Friday he accepted Mr Bandt's second, longer apology and would drop the defamation action.

"I won't take the matter any further," he told The Australian.

"I was disappointed the (statements) were made and it was very hurtful for many other people who have contacted me but I am very satisfied with this apology now."

In his second apology Mr Bandt also promised to make a donation to a veterans organisation.